Religious Education Program

The Religious Education Program at St. Mary's Central School has as its primary goal the Catholic formation of students as people of faith wherein they are able to recognize the mystery and interaction ever taking place between a loving God and His people.

Recognizing that awareness such as this is arrived at gradually as one gains knowledge of God, the program disseminates Catholic religious doctrine in a progressive succession using a variety of methods. Textbook input providing solid doctrine, liturgical and para-liturgical experiences of worship, as well as multi-media presentations to reinforce and strengthen basic dogma, is a means to impact the Catholic Christian heritage. 

The priest of the parish takes an active role in the religious education of the student. The priest and students meet, at Mass weekly, around the table of the Lord where active participation in religious education and worship of the Lord takes place. The priest is available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and visits the classrooms.

The program seeks to reach the student as an individual whole person and attempts to provide a unique atmosphere of a Faith Community. In so doing, it seeks to ever involve the parents in the child's religious education. This is done primarily by having well organized parent programs prior to the reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. 

All students, regardless of religious affiliation, are required to participate in religion classes and other religious activities.